Flashings for windows and the like

ABSTRACT

A flashing and method for installing a window or other portal in a wall opening is provided. The flashing includes a base member with first and second portions that are angled so that an outer surface of the first portion can be disposed against a sill of the opening and an outer surface of the second portion can be disposed against one of the jambs of the opening. A front face plate of the flashing extends perpendicularly from the first and second portions of the base member, and a plurality of channels in the base member are structured to direct water toward and through the front face plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.10/753,135, filed Jan. 7, 2004, which is hereby incorporated herein inits entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the installation of windows or other buildingmembers and, more particularly, relates to a flashing for directingwater and preventing leakage of the water at a window or other portal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During a typical installation of a window in a building, a rough openingis first prepared in a wall of the building for receiving the window.The rough opening is defined by two jambs that extend vertically from ahead at the top of the rough opening to a sill at the bottom of theopening. A weather resistant barrier material, such as a thin sheet ofwaterproof paper or plastic can be disposed over the outer surface ofthe wall, and the barrier material is cut at the rough opening andfolded into the opening. The barrier material forms a moisture barrierextending over the outer surface, but due to the cuts in the barriermaterial does not normally provide a waterproof barrier on the innersurfaces of the rough opening. In particular, the barrier typicallydefines openings at the intersection of the jambs and the sill. A sillflashing is often installed across the sill. The sill flashing extendsoutward from the sill onto a portion of the outer surface of the walland upward from the sill onto a portion of each jamb. Thus, the sillflashing, which is formed of a flexible sheet of material, is cut andbent to correspond to the sill, jambs, and outer wall surface.Typically, two cuts are made in the sill flashing, each cut extendingfrom a respective corner of the sill and the jambs through the portionof the sill flashing that is disposed on the outer surface of the wall.Similarly, flashing can be installed on each of the jambs and the headof the rough opening before the window is secured in the opening.

The window can be structured to prevent rain or other water contactingthe outer surface of the window from flowing to the sill of the roughopening. However, in some cases, the window can leak water to the sill.Water flowing to the sill of the rough opening can sometimes penetrateboth the barrier material and the flashing, e.g., through the cuts thatare made in the barrier material and the flashing during installation.Thus, the water can flow into the wall, i.e., between the inner andouter surfaces of the wall, causing damage to the wall.

Thus, there exists a need for a device and method for use in a window orother portal installation for preventing the flow of water to the roughopening in the wall and to the inside of the wall. The device should becompatible with conventional windows and other portals and installationmethods. Preferably, the device should be relatively easy to install andeconomical to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a corner flashing and method for use ininstalling a portal, such as a window, in an opening in a wall. Theflashing defines channels for directing water out of the wall to anouter or inner surface of the wall, thereby restricting the passage ofwater into the wall around the portal.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wall isdefined by a sill and jambs extending therefrom. The flashing includes abase member with first and second portions. The second portion isdisposed at an angle relative to the first portion, such as a rightangle, so that an outer surface of the first portion can be disposedagainst the sill of the opening and an outer surface of the secondportion can be disposed against one of the jambs of the opening. Theflashing also includes a front face plate that extends generallyperpendicularly from the first and second portions of the base member.The first and second portions of the base member define the channels fordirecting water toward and through the front face plate. For example,the channels can be tapered to define an increased depth at the frontface plate. Inner surfaces of the first and second portions of the basemember can also have ridges between the channels for defining a surfacesubstantially parallel to the outer surfaces and structured to supportthe window or other portal. The outer surfaces of the portions oppositethe channels can be substantially planar. According to one aspect of theinvention, the flashing, which can be made of plastic, is a unitarymember. Further, the flashing can be a universal device that isstructured to be selectively installed in either of two corners of theopening, i.e., with the outer surface of the first portion of the basemember disposed toward either the sill or one of the jambs of theopening.

The present invention also provides an assembly in an opening of a wall,such as a window assembly, a shower door assembly, other portalassembly, or the like. The assembly includes a wall defining first andsecond opposite surfaces and an opening therethrough having a sill andjambs with corners at the intersections of the jambs and the sill.Flashings are disposed at the corners of the wall opening, with thechannels of the flashings disposed in the base members of the flashings.In some cases, a window is disposed in the wall opening with corners ofthe window being received by the flashings so that the inner surfaces ofthe first and second portions of the base member of each flashing aredisposed toward the window. Alternatively, a shower door or other portalcan be disposed in the wall opening. In either case, the channels of thefirst portion of each flashing are structured to direct water toward thefirst surface of the wall and through the front face plate, i.e.,typically out of the wall opening such as to the outside surface of anexterior wall in the case of a window assembly or to the inside surfaceof a wall of a shower stall. The flashings can be substantially similarso that each flashing is configured to be disposed at either of the wallcorners.

In addition, a third flashing can be disposed between the first portionsof the first and second flashings. The third flashing can include a basemember that is disposed between the first portions of the first andsecond flashings with an outer surface of the base member disposedtoward the sill of the opening. A front face plate of the third flashingextends from the base member of the third flashing in a plane generallyperpendicular to the base member of the third flashing and generallyparallel to the outer surface of the wall, i.e., generally parallel toand between the front face plates of the first and second flashings atthe corners of the opening. A plurality of channels are disposed in theinner surface of the base member of the third flashing opposite theouter surface of the base member of the third flashing. The channels inthe inner surface are structured to direct water out of the wall andthrough the front face plate of the third member, e.g., to an inside oroutside surface of the wall. Thus, the third flashing can prevent waterfrom contacting the sill of the opening between the first and secondflashings. A membrane or other sealing material can be disposed over aninterface that is defined between the base members of the first andthird flashings and between the base members of the second and thirdflashings to prevent water from flowing through the interfaces.

A furring strip can be disposed at the lower jambs of the opening. Afirst portion of each furring strip can be positioned opposite each jambfrom the second portion of one of the base members of the first andsecond flashings. A second portion of each furring strip, that isthicker than the first portion of the strip, can be disposed against therespective jamb above the respective flashing so that the furringdefines a substantially planar surface directed away from the respectivejamb. In some cases, such as where the assembly is a shower doorassembly, the flashings and the furring strips can be covered with tileor other flooring or wall materials. The flashings can be formed of amaterial to which tile can be adhered, such as by mixing wood fibers ina polymer material to facilitate adherence thereto by grout or othertile adhesive.

In some embodiments of the flashing and the assembly, the channels ofthe corner flashings can be configured to direct the water in an angleddirection relative to the front face plate. For example, each of thechannels can be defined by sidewalls that are not perpendicular to thefront face plate. In particular, the sidewall of each channel that isnearest the opposite portion of the base member can be disposed at anangle toward the front face plate and the opposite portion of the basemember. More particularly, each channel can be tapered to define anincreased width at the front face plate. In this way, when one of theportions of the base member is disposed vertically and the oppositeportion is disposed horizontally, such as when one portion is disposedagainst the jamb of an opening in a wall and the opposite portion isdisposed against the sill of the opening, the channels in the verticalportion will tend to drain water toward the front face plate and towardthe opposite portion of the base member. That is, water in the channelsof the portion disposed against the jamb will tend to flow toward andthrough the front face plate and thereby be drained out of the opening.

The first and second portions can also define an angled lead-in edge atthe front face plate, e.g., to facilitate the entry of a window of otherportal into the opening after the flashing has been disposed therein.

The configuration of the flashings of the present invention cancorrespond to the particular configuration of the opening and/or portalwith which the flashings are to be used. For example, in the case of aninset opening, such as typically is formed in a wall for forming aninset window configuration, the flashings can correspond to thecross-sectional profile of the opening. In particular, corner andstraight flashings of the present invention can define inner basemembers and outer base members that are joined by an intermediate faceplate, and a front face plate can extend from the outer base member. Theinner and outer base members are configured to be disposed against theinner and outer sill and/or jambs of the opening. Channels in the innerand outer base members can be structured to direct water outward throughthe front face plate, e.g., to an outer surface of the wall.

Additionally, the present invention provides a method of installing awindow, shower door, or other portal in a wall opening. The methodincludes disposing first and second flashings at the corners of the wallopening and disposing a window, shower door, or other portal in theopening. The window or other portal has first and second corners thatare received by the flashings so that the inner surfaces of the basemember of each flashing are disposed toward the window or other portal.Channels in the first portion of each flashing are structured to directwater through the front face plate and toward a first surface of thewall, such as an outer surface of the wall in the case of a windowassembly or an inner surface in the case of a shower door assembly. Alaminar moisture barrier sheet can also be disposed against the outersurface of the wall, and each of the flashings can be disposed partiallybetween the sheet and the wall and partially opposite the sheet from thewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention, andthe manner in which the same are accomplished, will become more readilyapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of theinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whichillustrate preferred and exemplary embodiments, but which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a corner flashing according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view illustrating the flashing of FIG. 1, as seenalong line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view illustrating the flashing of FIG. 1, as seenalong line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section view illustrating the flashing of FIG. 1, as seenalong line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating two of the flashings of FIG. 1installed in a wall opening during construction of a wall assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial view of FIG. 5 illustrating one of the installedflashings;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a window assembly according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial section view of the window assembly of FIG. 7, asseen along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a corner flashing according toanother embodiment of the present invention, having channels of taperingwidth;

FIG. 10 is a section view illustrating the flashing of FIG. 9, as seenalong line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating two of the corner flashingsof FIG. 9 installed in a wall opening during construction of a wallassembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, before athird straight flashing is installed;

FIG. 12 is a section view illustrating the third flashing of FIG. 9 asgenerally seen along line 12-12 of FIG. 11 after the third flashing isinstalled against the sill of the wall opening;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an inset corner flashingaccording to another embodiment of the present invention, installed inan inset wall opening;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a straight sill flashing,such as for use with the inset corner flashing of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating two of the flashings of FIG.9 installed in a wall opening during construction of a wall assembly fora shower stall according to one embodiment of the present invention,before a third straight flashing is installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to FIG. 1, there is showna corner flashing 10 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The corner flashing 10 is structured to be installed in awall opening 50 in connection with the installation of a window 60 (FIG.5) or other portal in the opening 50 so that the flashing 10 directswater out of the opening 50, e.g., to the outside of a building.Accordingly, the flashing 10 is preferably formed of a waterproofmaterial. For example, the flashing 10 can be formed of a variety ofmaterials including polymers, metals, and the like. In one advantageousembodiment of the invention, the flashing 10 is formed as a unitarymember of plastic, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, orpolyvinyl chloride (PVC). For example, the flashing 10 can be formed bya conventional injection molding operation using one or more dies thatcooperably define a die cavity corresponding to the configuration of theflashing 10 so as to form the flashing as a unitary, relatively rigid,molded plastic member.

As shown in FIG. 1, the flashing 10 includes an L-shaped base member 12and a front face plate 14. The base member 12 has substantiallyperpendicular first and second portions 20, 30, and the front face plate14 extends in a plane that is generally perpendicular to both of theportions 20, 30 of the base member 12. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, theflashing 10 can be installed in the opening 50 of a wall 52 so that thebase member 12 is disposed against a sill 54 and jamb 56 of the wall 52and the front face plate 14 is disposed against an outer surface 58 ofthe wall 52. In particular, outer surfaces 22, 32 of the first andsecond portions 20, 30 can be disposed against the sill 54 and jamb 56of the wall 52 so that opposite inner surfaces 24, 34 of the base memberportions 20, 30 are configured to receive corners 62 of the window 60.

The inner surfaces 24, 34 of the base member 12 define channels 26, 36that extend to the front face plate 14 so that water received on theinner surfaces 24, 34 is directed by the channels 26, 36 through thefront face plate 14. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the channels 26, 36 aresubstantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front faceplate 14, but in other embodiments of the invention, the channels 26, 36can be angled relative to the front face plate 14. In either case, thechannels 26, 36 preferably do not extend through the end edge 16 of thebase member 12 opposite the front face plate 14. Further, as shown inFIG. 2, the channels 26, 36 are tapered in a direction away from thefront face plate 14, i.e., each channel 26, 36 defines an increaseddepth at the front face plate 14. Thus, water in the channels 26, 36generally flows toward the front face plate 14 and exits the channels26, 36 through the front face plate 14. For example, each channel 26, 36can define a maximum depth at the front face plate 14 and a minimumdepth at the end of the channel 26, 36 distal to the front face plate14. The minimum depth of each channel 26, 36 can be zero, such that thechannel 26, 36 tapers from its maximum depth at the front face 14 plateto the same level as the top of ridges 28, 38 between the channels 26,36. Alternatively, each channel 26, 36 can have a minimum depth that isgreater than zero, e.g., so that the entire channel 26, 36 is deeperthan the ridges 28, 38 and each channel 26, 36 defines a back dam distalto the front face plate 14 that prevents water from flowing toward theend edge 16.

The channels 26, 36 are separated by the ridges 28, 38 therebetween. Theridges 28, 38 of each portion 20, 30 of the base member 12 define asupport surface, which can be substantially parallel to the outersurface 22, 32 of the respective portion of the base member 12. That is,the support surface formed by the ridges 28 of the first portion 20 canbe substantially parallel to the outer surface 22 of the first portion20, and the support surface formed by the ridges 38 of the secondportion 30 can be substantially parallel to the outer surface 32 of thesecond portion 30. Thus, when the outer surfaces 22, 32 of the portions20, 30 are disposed against the sill 54 and jamb 56 of the wall opening50, the ridges 28, 38 define support surfaces that are parallel to thesill and jamb 54, 56, respectively. The ridges 28, 38 can be uniform ornon-uniform in width, e.g., so that each ridge 28, 38 is increasinglynarrower in a direction away from the channels 26, 36. Thus, the tops ofthe ridges 28, 38, which define the support surface, can be relativelysmall in area to minimize the likelihood of water resting on the ridges28, 38. In addition, the height of each ridge 28, 38 relative to therespective outer surfaces 22, 32 can be nonuniform along the length ofeach ridge. For example, each ridge 28, 38 can define a decreased heightnearest the front face plate 14.

As shown in FIG. 5, the flashings 10 can be installed in each of thelower corners of the opening 50 in the wall 52. When used in connectionwith the installation of a typical rectangular window 60 in an uprightconfiguration, the first portion 20 of each base member 12 is disposedhorizontally against the sill 54 of the wall 52 and the second portion30 is disposed vertically against one of the jambs 56 of the wall 52.The inner surfaces 24 of the first portions 20 of the base members 12thereby define a horizontal support surface for receiving and supportingthe bottom of the window 60, and the inner surfaces 34 of the secondportions 30 define vertical support surfaces for the sides of the window60.

As is known in the art, the outer surface 58 of the wall 52 can becovered by a laminar sheet 40 of a moisture barrier material, and thesheet 40 can be folded into the opening 50 before the window 60 isinstalled. According to the present invention, the sheet 40 can be cutas indicated by reference numeral 42 in FIG. 6, so that part of theupright second portion 30 of the base member 12 and the front face plate14 are inserted between the sheet 40 and the wall 52, while the rest ofthe flashing 10 is disposed opposite the sheet 40 from the wall 52.Thus, water flowing downward along the sheet 40 tends to flow onto thefront face plate 14 or onto the inner surfaces 24, 34 of the base member12 so that the channels 26, 36 thereby direct the water through thefront face plate 14. The lower portion of the flashing 10 is disposedoutside the sheet 40 of barrier material, i.e., with the sheet betweenthe flashing 10 and the wall 52, so that water flowing downward from theflashing 10 is directed outside the sheet 40. Advantageously, theflashing 10 can cover any cuts or holes in the sheet 40 at the corner ofthe opening 50, e.g., cuts made to facilitate the folding of the sheet40 into the opening 50 or cuts or holes resulting from wear.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a window assembly 80 in which the flashings 10and window 60 are installed in the opening 50 of the wall 52. The wall52 typically includes inner and outer wall members 82, 84 supported byframing members 86. For example, the inner wall member 82 can be formedof sheets of plasterboard and the outer wall member 84 can be formed ofsheets of plywood, both of which are nailed to and supported by aninternal structure of the framing members 86 such as wooden beams. Thelaminar sheet of barrier material 40 can be provided on the outersurface 58 of the wall 52 and the sill 54. The flashings 10 areinstalled at each of the two lower corners of the wall opening 50 withthe base member 12 of each flashing 10 adjacent to the corner so thatthe first portion 20 at least partially covers the sill 54 and thesecond portion 30 of the base member 12 at least partially covers thejamb 56. The front face plate 14 of each flashing 10 is disposedadjacent to the outer surface 58 of the wall 52, and nails 88 or otherfasteners can be used to connect the flashings 10 to the wall 52. Siding90 or other materials can then be disposed on the outer surface 58 ofthe wall 52, e.g., opposite the sheet 40 from the wall 52, so that thesiding 90 covers the front face plate 14 and the wall 52 around theopening 50. For example, the siding 90 can be vinyl or aluminum sidingstrips, wood shingles, stucco, bricks, and the like.

Windows 60 having any of various configurations can be installed in thewall opening 50 according to the present invention. For example, asshown in FIG. 8, the window 60 includes a frame 64 having a bottom framemember, or sill member 66, that supports a sash 68. One or more glasspanes 70 of the window 60 are supported by the sash 68, which fitswithin the frame 64 of the window. The frame 64 also can support ascreen 72 and/or additional glass panes. An inner frame 74 can beprovided on the inner wall member 82 to cover an interface between theinner wall member 82 and the window 60, thereby restricting air frompassing between the two members 82, 60 and improving the aestheticappeal of the window assembly 80. A windbreak 76 can also be disposedbetween the wall 52 and the window frame 64, e.g., proximate to theouter wall member 84, to restrict the passage of air between the wallopening 50 and the window frame 64.

The frame 64, which can be formed of wood, wood composites, polymercoated wood, and the like, can be at least partially supported by thebase members 12 of the flashings 10. For example, the sill member 66 ofthe frame 64 can be supported by the ridges 28 of the first portions 20of the base members 12. The sill member 66 can also be disposed at anangle relative to the support surface defined by the ridges 28 so thatwater on the sill member 66 tends to drain outward toward the outersurface 58 of the wall 52. In any case, the channels 26 preferably aredirected toward the outer surface 58 of the wall 52 and are notobstructed by the window 60 supported by the ridges 28 so that waterreceived on the first portion 20 of the base member 12 of each flashing10 is directed toward the outer surface 58 of the wall 52 by thechannels 26. Thus, water is prevented from flowing onto the inner wallmember 82, the framing members 86, or the outer wall member 84, e.g.,through cuts in the barrier material sheet 40 at the corners of the wallopening 50.

Each flashing 10 can be formed with the channels 26 defined by only thefirst portion 20 of the base member 12, the second portion 30 of thebase member 12 being devoid of the channels 36, i.e., so that thechannels 26 are disposed under the window 60 when installed but notbetween the window 60 and the jambs 56 of the opening 50. Preferably,however, the channels 26, 36 are defined by both the first and secondportions 20, 30 of the base member 12 of the flashing 10. Further, eachflashing 10 is preferably formed as a universal device that can bedisposed in either corner of the wall opening 50, i.e., with the firstportion 20 of the base member 12 disposed adjacent the sill 54 of thewall opening 50 and the second portion 30 adjacent the jamb 56 of theopening 50, or with the first portion 20 adjacent the jamb 56 of theopening 50 and the second portion 30 adjacent the sill 54. Thus, theflashing 10 can be structured with a single configuration that can beused in either of the corners of the window assembly 80.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, each of thechannels 26, 36 can be angled or tapered to direct water from theopening 50 in which the flashing is disposed. In this regard, FIGS. 9and 10 illustrate a corner flashing 10 a structured to be disposed in acorner of an opening, similar to the embodiment of the flashing 10 thatis shown in FIG. 1. However, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the channels26, 36 of the corner flashing 10 a are configured to direct the water inan angled direction relative to the front face plate 14. In particular,each of the channels 26, 36 can be defined by sidewalls 27 a, 27 b, 37a, 37 b _that are not perpendicular to the front face plate 14. Moreparticularly, a first sidewall 27 a, 37 a of each channel 26, 36, whichis nearest the opposite portion 20, 30 of the base member 12, isdisposed to direct water in a direction that is angled toward the frontface plate 14 and the opposite portion 20, 30 of the base member 12.That is, each channel 26 in the first portion 20 of the base member 12has a first sidewall 27 a that directs water in a direction toward thefront face plate 14 and the second portion 30 of the base member 12.Similarly, each channel 36 in the second portion 30 of the base member12 has a first sidewall 37 a that directs water in a direction towardthe front face plate 14 and the first portion 20 of the base member 12.The second sidewall 27 b, 37 b of each channel 26, 36 can be parallel tothe first sidewall 27 a, 37 a, or the second sidewall 27 b, 37 b can bedisposed at angle relative to the first sidewall 27 a, 37 a. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 10, the sidewalls 27 a, 27 b, 37 a, 37 b ofeach channel 26, 36 diverge in the direction of the front face plate 14.That is, each channel 26, 36 is tapered to define an increased width atthe front face plate 14. In this way, when one of the portions 20, 30 ofthe base member 12 is disposed vertically and the opposite portion 20,30 is disposed horizontally, as shown in FIG. 9, such as when the firstportion 20 is disposed against the sill 54 of an opening 50 in a wall 52and the second portion 30 is disposed against the jamb 56 of the opening50, the channels 36 in the vertical portion 30 will tend to drain watertoward the front face plate 14 and also toward the horizontal portion 20of the base member 12, i.e., downward. That is, water in the channels 36of the vertical portion 30 disposed against the jamb 56 will tend toflow by gravity toward and through the front face plate 14 and therebybe drained out of the opening 50.

In addition, the first and second portions 20, 30 of the base member 12also define an angled lead-in edge 13 at the front face plate 14, e.g.,to facilitate the entry of the window 60 of other portal into theopening 50 after the flashing(s) 10 a have been disposed therein. Forexample, the angled lead-in edge 13 can be defined by a surface that isdisposed at about a 45° angle relative to both the front face plate 14and the top surface of the ridges 28, 38.

FIG. 11 illustrates an assembly 80 a, similar to the embodiment of FIG.7. The assembly 80 a includes two of the flashings 10 a of FIG. 9, whichare installed in the opening 50 of the wall 52. The laminar sheet ofbarrier material 40 can be provided on the outer surface 58 of the wall52 and the sill 54, as described above in connection with FIG. 7. Athird flashing 100, which is a straight section of flashing, is disposedagainst the sill 54 between the two flashings 10 a. The third flashingcan define a cross-sectional shape that is similar to that of the cornerflashings 10 a. That is, the third flashing 100, which can be a single,unitary member that is formed by injection molding or otherwise,includes a base member 112 that defines channels 126 that are separatedby ridges 128, and a front face plate 114 extending from the base member112. The base member 112 can be disposed between the first portions 20of the two corner flashings 10 a, with an outer surface 122 disposedagainst the sill 54 of the opening 50 and an opposite inner surface 124structured to support the window 60 or other portal disposed in theopening 50. The front face plate 114 typically extends perpendicularlyfrom the base member 112 and parallel to the outer surface 58 of thewall 52, e.g., overlapping the barrier material 40. Nails 88 or otherfasteners can be disposed through the front face plate 114 to secure thethird flashing 100 in place. The channels 126, which can be similar tothe channels 26, 36 of the corner flashings 10, 10 a, can taper in depthand/or width such that water in the channels 126 flows toward andthrough the front face plate 114 at the outer surface 58 of the wall 52.An angled lead-in edge 113 can be defined at the intersection of thebase member 112 and the front face plate 114 to facilitate the placementof the window 60 of other portal into the opening 50 as described above.

The flashing 100 can be formed in various lengths, according to the sizeof the opening 50. Further, the flashing 100 can be readily cut orotherwise trimmed to size so that the flashing 100 extends between thecorner flashings 10 a. Each end of the flashing 100 typically defines aninterface 130 with one of the corner flashings 10 a, and the interfaces130, can be covered or otherwise sealed with a sealant material 132. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the sealant material 132 can be amembrane such as a strip of tape that is to be disposed over eachinterface 130. Alternatively, each interface 130 can be sealed withcaulk or other sealant. In either case, the sealant material 132 canprevent water from flowing through the interfaces 130. Before or afterthe window 60 or other portal is disposed, siding 90 or other materialsare typically disposed on the outer surface 58 of the wall 52, e.g.,opposite the sheet 40 from the wall 52, so that the siding 90 covers thefront face plate 14 and the wall 52 around the opening 50, i.e., asshown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 illustrates a corner flashing 200 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention, which can be used for an insetwindow or other inset portal. The corner flashing 200 is typicallyinstalled in an inset opening that defines inner and outer sills 54 a,54 b and inner and outer jambs 56 a, 56 b. In a conventional insetwindow assembly, the inner sill and jambs 54 a, 56 a typically receive awindow 60 or other portal such that the window 60 or other portal isrecessed into the wall 52 from the outer surface 58 thereof. The outersill and jambs 54 b, 56 b are typically covered with siding, shingles,stucco, bricks, tiles, or the like. According to the present invention,the flashing 200 includes an inner base member 202 with first and secondangled portions 204, 206 similar to the base members 12 of the cornerflashings 10, 10 a described above. An intermediate face plate 208extends from the first and second portions 204, 206 of the inner basemember 202 in a plane generally perpendicular to the first and secondportions 204, 206 of the inner base member 202. An outer base member 210with first and second angled portions 212, 214 extends from theintermediate face plate 208, and a front face plate 216 extends from thefirst and second portions 212, 214 of the outer base member 210 in aplane generally perpendicular to the outer base member 210. Thus, asshown in FIG. 13, the inner base member 202 can be disposed against theinner sill and jamb 54 a, 56 a, the outer base member 210 can bedisposed against the outer sill and jamb 54 b, 56 b, and the front faceplate 216 can be disposed against the outer surface 58 of the wall 52around the opening 50. Channels 220 are disposed in the first and secondportions 204, 206 of the inner base member 202 to direct water towardand through the intermediate face plate 208, and channels 222 aredisposed in the first and second portions 212, 214 of the outer basemember 210 to direct water toward and through the front face plate 216.The channels 220, 222, which are defined between ridges 224, 226, can betapered or otherwise angled, e.g., to define increasing width and depthin a direction toward the front face plate 216. For example, asdescribed above in connection with the corner flashings 10, 10 a, thechannels 220, 222 of the flashing 200 can define sidewalls that are notperpendicular to the front face plate 216 and/or the depth of each ofthe channels 220, 222 can be nonuniform along its length. Each ridge224, 226 on the inner and outer base members 202, 120 can define anangled lead-in edge 213 to facilitate the insertion of the window 60 orother portal.

The window 60 or other portal can be disposed against the inner basemember 202, i.e., against the ridges 224. The outer base member 210, aswell as the intermediate face plate 208 and the outer face plate 216,can be covered with siding, shingles, stucco, bricks, tiles, or thelike. Thus, any water that is disposed on the base members 202, 210,e.g., water that leaks through the bottom of the window 60 or water thatflows through the siding or other materials on the outer base member210, is directed toward the outer surface 58 of the wall 52 and out ofthe opening 50. As described above in connection with the flashings 10,the flashing 200 can be structured as a universal member, i.e., a memberwhich can be configured in different orientations with either of theportions 204, 206, 212, 214 of the base members 202, 210 disposedagainst either a sill or a jamb.

FIG. 14 illustrates a straight flashing 240, which can be used as athird flashing in an assembly with two of the corner flashings 200. Forexample, the straight flashing 240 can be disposed against the inner andouter sills 54 a, 54 b between two of the corner flashings 200, similarto the configuration of the straight flashing 100 described above inconnection with FIGS. 11 and 12. The straight flashing 240 defines across-sectional shape that is similar to that of the corner flashings200. That is, the straight flashing 240 includes inner and outer basemembers 242, 244, each of which defines channels 246, 248 that areseparated by ridges 250, 252. A perpendicular intermediate face plate254 extends between the inner and outer base members 242, 244, and afront face plate 256 extends from the outer base member 244. The innerbase member 242 can be disposed between the first portions 204 of theinner base members 202 of two corner flashings 200, with theintermediate face plate 254 between the intermediate faceplates 208 ofthe corner flashings 200, the outer base member 244 disposed between theouter base members 210 of the corner flashings 200, and the front faceplate 254 between the front face plates 216 of the corner flashings 200.The straight flashing 240 can be trimmed to length and sealed with thecorner flashings 200, as described in connection with the straightflashing 100 of FIG. 11.

The flashings of the present invention can be used in connection withthe installation of various portals, such as windows, doors, doorways,and the like. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, theflashings are installed in an opening of a shower stall. In this regard,FIG. 15 illustrates an opening 50 that defines the inside 51 a of theshower stall on one side and the outside 51 b of the shower stall on theopposite side of the opening 50. Two of the corner flashings 10 a andone straight flashing 100 are installed to form an assembly similar tothat shown in FIG. 11. However, while the flashings 10 a, 100 aretypically configured to direct water to the outer surface 58 of a wall52 surrounding a window 60, the flashings 10 a, 100 of the embodiment ofFIG. 11 are instead used to direct water toward the inside 51 a of theshower stall. The corner flashings 10 a are installed as described abovewith the base members 12 disposed at the corners of the sill 54 andjambs 56. For illustrative clarity, the straight flange 100 is shownbefore installation against the sill 54, and it is understood that thestraight flange 100 can extend between the two corner flashings 10 a,with tape or other sealant material 132 disposed at the interfaces 130of the straight flange 100 and each corner flange 10 a. In addition,furring strips 260 are shown in installed and uninstalledconfigurations. Each furring strip 260 defines first and second portions262, 264 of dissimilar thickness. The first portion 262 is disposedopposite a respective one of the jambs 56 from the second portion 30 ofthe base member 12 of one of the corner flashings 10 a. The secondportion 264 of each furring strip 260 is disposed against the respectivejamb 56 above the corner flashing 10 a. The second portion 264 can bethicker than the first portion 262 so that each furring strip 260defines a substantially planar surface 266 directed away from therespective jamb 56. That is, the thickness of the second portion 264 canbe about equal to the thickness of the combination of the first portion262 and the base member 12 of the corner flashing 10 a. Further, thethickness of the second portion 264 can be equal to the thickness of awall lining material 270, such as drywall, that is to be installedagainst the jambs 56 of the opening 50 above the furring strips 260. Forexample, the second portion 264 can be about ¼ inch thick so that eachfurring strip 260 adapts the thickness of the corner flashing 10 a to astandard thickness of the drywall or other wall material 270.

The furring strips 260 can then be covered with tile or other flooringor wall surfacing materials. Tile or other surface materials are alsotypically disposed over sill 54 of the opening, i.e., over the straightflashing 100 and the portion 20 of the base member 12 of each cornerflashing 10 a that is disposed against the sill 54. For example, groutor other adhesive materials can be disposed between the tile and theflashings 10 a, 100. It is appreciated that the grout or other adhesivemay partially fill the channels 26, 126 but the channels 26, 126 canremain at least partially unobstructed. Further, even if some or all ofthe channels 26, 126 are obstructed by the grout, it is appreciated thatthe channels 26, 126 can continue to operate as draining devices byvirtue of the permeability of the grout. That is, if grout in thechannels 26, 126 absorbs water, the water can be directed into theinside 51 a of the shower by the channels 26, 126. Alternatively, alayer of backing board can be provided over the flashings 100, 10 a sothat the backing board is disposed between the wall and the tiles orother floor or wall surfacing materials. The backing board can be acement board, drywall, or the like. In any case, the floor and lowerportions of the walls in a shower stall are typically lined with awaterproof membrane, and the waterproof membrane can be cut and foldedat the opening 50, generally similar to the configuration of themoisture barrier sheet 40 described above in connection with FIG. 6. Itis appreciated that such a waterproof membrane can be used incombination with the flashings 10 a, 100 of the present invention. Theflashings 10 a, 100, can be disposed over the waterproof membrane sothat water directed by the flashings 10 a, 100 flows above the membraneand into the shower stall, where the water can be received by a drain.

In some cases, the various flashings of the present invention can beformed of materials that are especially suited for the particularapplication for which the flashings are to be used. For example, if theflashings are to be used in an application in which grout and/or tilesare to be disposed directly against the flashings, such as in the showerassembly of FIG. 15, the flashings can be formed of a material to whichgrout or other adhesives can easily be adhered. In some cases, theflashings can be formed of a polymer, such as polystyrene, to whichvarious grouts, adhesives, and the like can be adhered. Alternatively,the various flashings of the present invention can be formed of apolymer or other moldable material in which fibers are disposed. Forexample, wood fibers can be included in the polymer material of theflashings to increase the adherence between the flashings and grout orother adhesives.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tomind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions andthe associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that theinvention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed andthat modifications and other embodiments are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms areemployed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense onlyand not for purposes of limitation.

1. A flashing for use in a portal installation in an opening defined bya sill and jambs extending therefrom, the flashing comprising: a basemember having first and second portions, the second portion beingdisposed at an angle relative to the first portion such that an outersurface of the first portion is configured to be disposed against thesill of the opening and an outer surface of the second portion isconfigured to be disposed against one of the jambs of the opening; afront face plate extending from each of the first and second portions ofthe base member in a plane generally perpendicular to the first andsecond portions; and a first plurality of channels disposed in the firstportion of the base member to direct water toward and through the frontface plate and a second plurality of channels disposed in the secondportion of the base member to direct water toward and through the frontface plate, wherein each channel is at least partially defined by asidewall that is angled toward the front face plate and the oppositeportion of the base member, such that each channel is configured todirect water in a direction toward the front face plate and the oppositeportion of the base member.
 2. A flashing according to claim 1 whereineach channel tapers to define an increased width at the front faceplate, the width of the channels being defined in a direction parallelto the first and second portions and substantially parallel to the frontface plate.
 3. A flashing according to claim 1 wherein each of the firstand second portions defines an angled lead-in edge at the front faceplate.
 4. A flashing according to claim 1 wherein each channel istapered to define an increased depth at the front face plate.
 5. Aflashing according to claim 1 wherein the flashing is formed of aunitary molded plastic member.
 6. A flashing according to claim 1wherein the flashing is formed of plastic with fibers disposed therein.7. A flashing according to claim 1 wherein the flashing is structured tobe configured with the outer surface of the first portion of the basemember disposed toward one of the jambs of the opening and the outersurface of the second portion disposed toward the sill of the openingsuch that the flashing can be selectively installed in either of twocorners of the opening.
 8. A flashing assembly in an opening extendingbetween first and second surfaces of a wall, the flashing assemblycomprising: a wall defining first and second opposite surfaces and awall opening therethrough, the wall opening being at least partiallydefined by a sill and jambs extending from the sill, and the wallopening defining first and second corners at intersections of the jambsand the sill; first and second flashings disposed at the corners of thewall opening, each flashing comprising: a base member having first andsecond portions, each of the first and second portions defining an outersurface and an opposite inner surface, the outer surface of the firstportion being disposed toward the sill of the opening, the outer surfaceof the second portion being disposed toward one of the jambs of theopening, and the inner surfaces defining a corner of the flashing; and afront face plate extending from each of the first and second portions ofthe base member in a plane generally perpendicular to the first andsecond portions of the base member and generally parallel to the firstsurface of the wall; and a plurality of channels disposed in the firstand second portions of the base member; wherein each channel in thesecond portion of the base member is at least partially defined by asidewall that is angled toward the front face plate and the firstportion of the base member, such that each channel is configured todirect water in a downward direction toward the first surface of thewall and through the front face plate.
 9. A flashing assembly accordingto claim 8 wherein each channel tapers to define an increased width atthe front face plate, the width of the channels being parallel to thefront face plate.
 10. A flashing assembly according to claim 8 whereinthe first and second portions of each flashing define an angled lead-inedge at the front face plate.
 11. A flashing assembly according to claim8, further comprising a third flashing disposed between the firstportions of the first and second flashings, the third flashingcomprising: a base member being disposed between the first portions ofthe first and second flashings, the base member of the third flashingdefining an outer surface disposed toward the sill of the opening and aninner surface opposite the outer surface; a front face plate extendingfrom the base member of the third flashing in a plane generallyperpendicular to the base member of the third flashing and generallyparallel to the first surface of the wall; and a plurality of channelsdisposed in the inner surface of the base member of the third flashing,such that the channels of the third flashing are structured to directwater toward the first surface of the wall and through the front faceplate.
 12. A flashing assembly according to claim 11, further comprisinga sealant disposed at an interface defined between the base members ofthe first and third flashings and an interface defined between the basemembers of the second and third flashings, the sealant therebypreventing water from flowing through the interfaces.
 13. A flashingassembly according to claim 8 wherein each channel of each flashing istapered to define an increased depth at the front face plate.
 14. Aflashing assembly according to claim 8 wherein each flashing is aunitary member formed of molded plastic.
 15. A flashing assemblyaccording to claim 8 wherein each flashing is formed of plastic withfibers disposed therein.
 16. A flashing assembly according to claim 8wherein each of the flashings is substantially similar such that eachflashing is configured to be disposed at each of the corners of the wallopening.
 17. A flashing assembly according to claim 8 further comprisingfirst and second furring strips, each furring strip defining first andsecond portions, the first portion of each furring strip being disposedopposite a respective one of the jambs from the second portion of thebase member of a respective one of the flashings, and the second portionof each furring strip being disposed against the respective jamb abovethe respective flashing, the second portion of each furring strip beingthicker than the first portion such that each furring strip defines asubstantially planar surface directed away from the respective jamb. 18.A flashing for use in an inset portal installation in an opening definedby an inner sill and inner jambs extending therefrom and an outer silland outer jambs extending therefrom, the flashing comprising: an innerbase member having first and second portions, the second portion beingdisposed at an angle relative to the first portion such that an outersurface of the first portion is configured to be disposed against theinner sill of the opening and an outer surface of the second portion isconfigured to be disposed against one of the inner jambs of the opening;an intermediate face plate extending from each of the first and secondportions of the inner base member in a plane generally perpendicular tothe first and second portions of the inner base member; an outer basemember having first and second portions disposed at an anglecorresponding to the angle between the portions of the inner base membersuch that an outer surface of the first portion of the outer base memberis configured to be disposed against the outer sill of the opening andan outer surface of the second portion of the outer base member isconfigured to be disposed against one of the outer jambs of the opening;a front face plate extending from each of the first and second portionsof the outer base member in a plane generally perpendicular to the firstand second portions of the outer base member; and a plurality ofchannels disposed in the first and second portions of the inner basemember to direct water toward and through the intermediate face plateand a plurality of channels disposed in the first and second portions ofthe outer base member to direct water toward and through the front faceplate.
 19. A flashing according to claim 18 wherein each channel is atleast partially defined by a sidewall that is angled toward the frontface plate and the opposite portion of the base member, such that eachchannel is configured to direct water in a direction toward the frontface plate and the opposite portion of the base member.
 20. A flashingaccording to claim 18 wherein each channel tapers to define an increasedwidth at an end nearest the front face plate, the width of each channelbeing defined in a direction parallel to the portion of the base memberin which the channel is disposed and substantially parallel to the frontface plate.
 21. A flashing according to claim 18 wherein each of thefirst and second portions of at least one of the inner and outer basemembers defines an angled lead-in edge nearest the front face plate. 22.A flashing according to claim 18 wherein each channel is tapered todefine an increased depth at the end nearest the front face plate.
 23. Aflashing according to claim 18 wherein the flashing is formed of aunitary molded plastic member.
 24. A flashing according to claim 18wherein the flashing is structured to be configured with the outersurfaces of the first portions of the inner and outer base membersdisposed toward one of the inner and outer jambs of the opening, and theouter surface of the second portions of the inner and outer base membersdisposed toward one of the inner and outer sills of the opening suchthat the flashing can be selectively installed in either of two cornersof the opening.